Waking up

[immyyy]

Soo Archie is my new Hammie was returned to the pet shop as the previous owner had lost interest. He is semi tame, he will sit on my hand when there is food in it and he doesnt mind being held.

The only problem is, is that i he sleeps all through the day and i feel bad waking him up, when i disturb the nest a little bit sometimes he squeaks and once he did a sort of nip, it didnt hurt and didnt break skin it was like a soft peck if you get me... What do you do in this situation? Are your hamsters like this?

[Dollface]

Hmm, I think a lot of hamsters (although mine does not) would react similarly as, if you think about it: the hamster is asleep, dreaming of hamstery things , all warm and cosy - and then an assumingly big hand is present, it would be kind of startling, haha!

I wouldn't like to be awoken by a huge hand during my deep sleeps, I know that for sure! & maybe being such little delicate creatures, they get defensive or grumpy?

I don't factually know, that's just my personal opinion, hehe.

[immyyy]

Thanks Dollface, i agree that it seems rather harsh to be waking up a little hamster. I just wish he had a different sleeping pattern - being only 16 i dont stay up that late and when i get up in the morning he is already in bed again!

[Gillzy]

Sen also hates it if I wake her up by touching her nest. She is pretty tolerant of pretty much everything else, but being woken up by me disturbing her nest is a no-no.

I suggest you move (just wiggle you finger in) the substrate in the opposite corner of the cage. No doubt he will hear the rustling and come out... and your hand should be far away enough that it won't get bitten. Also it might be an idea to blow a whistle, ring a bell (or rustle a food box - which Sen responds to) that he will then associate with a treat (which you should have in hand) and then eventually you just make the noise and he wakes up (I can do this with both shaking her treat tub and rustling the food bag).

[StarlightSerenity]

You're also invading his territory which isnt the best of things to be doing

You dont have to disturb his nest or even put your hand in his cage to wake him up, you can do so by talking to him, making (quiet) noises, rattling/rusting his food. That sort of thing will wake him up without you invading his territory and will stop such a negative reaction.

[samincittagazze]

I tap on the side of the cage and speak to them softly, then I open it up and rustle about. Once I can see their noses poking out the nest to see what I'm to, I put my hand next to them and they have a good sniff, then I pick them up. It seems to work even for my most timid little girl, who is getting much better, and I've never been nipped.

[Katarina]

I usually bring small peace of cheese or cucumber or apple - anything with a strong smell and just put it near my mouth while gently blowing in direction of their bed - the smell wakes them up and takes them out of their nest - little bit like moon walking almost. I then put my hand down into the cage with the treat on it and by then they are awake, climb on and get tucked in to their treat after they have a bit they are ready for a little cuddle and play!

[CoolcatNatNat44]

yes you shouldnt disturb him when he is sleeping otherwise when he gets up he will be grumpy or he will just sleep for longer..... As for the squeeking its because you are going near his territory, i wouldnt touch his bed at all it makes them feel very insecure so just let him chill, most hamsters sleep for around 10 hours mine sleeps from 7 in the morning to 9 at night

[Goliath]

Well, they are nocturnal. But I totally get the feeling. Goliath seems to time it exactly to the opposite of my schedule. >.<

[Holly's Mum]

Is it possible to change their sleeping habits by controlling the amount of light getting to them, e.g. by leaving a light on near their cage at night and putting a blanket over the cage during the day to simulate night?